Electric stopping mechanism for shifting shuttle box looms



Sept. 6, 1955 Filed May 18, 1955 c. w. MOSS 2,717,008

ELECTRIC STOPPING MECHANISM FOR SHIFTING SHUTTLE BOX LOOMS 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. CHARLES W. MOSS BY ATTORNEY Sept. 6, 1955 c. w. MOSS 2,717,008

ELECTRIC STOPPING MECHANISM FOR SHIFTING SHUTTLE BOX LOOMS Filed May 18, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

CHARLES W. MOSS y, MM

' ATTORNEY Sept. 6, 1955 c. w. Moss 2,717,008

ELECTRIC STOPPING MECHANISM FOR SHIFTING SHUTTLE BOX LOOMS Filed May 18, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet s I INVENTOR.

CHARLES W. MOSS BY To cLos'ED SWITCH M I ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 2,717,098 Patented Sept. 6, 1955 ELECTRIC STOPPING MECHANISM FOR SHIFTING SHUTTLE BOX LOOMS Charles W. Moss, Canton, Mass.

Application May 18, 1953, Serial No. 355,603

15 Claims. (Cl. 139-336) This invention relates to improvements in electrically 1.

controlled stopping mechanisms for shifting shuttle box looms. More especially, it has to do with an electromechanical stop motion for power driven looms of the above class to effect instant loom stoppage should a shifting of the shuttle boxes be prevented for any reason, as by an improperly boxed shuttle, or if an improper chain condition should occur in the head motion, as by a hang-up of either the harness pattern chain or the box chain.

l t is known in the prior art to employ various types of protective devices which operate when improper loom operation occurs to stop the loom instantly before damage to its parts can result. For example, all looms have an instant mechanical-type stop motion usually operative between bottom and top center positions of the lay restart since he must draw the lay back to repair the break which the shed has closed on. Also, yieldable giveways have been built into power driven looms at positions that have been troublesome to allow breakage of what, at one time, were minor loom parts. For instance, should a shifting of the shuttle boxes be prevented for any reason, as by an improperly boxed shuttie, a lifting tube giveway on the lifter rod would yield to avoid breakage but the picker stick will be broken unless the loom is stopped before the picking point is reached in the loom cycle. In the past, picker sticks made of hickory worked well when used with rawhide pickers and such sticks were relatively inexpensive so that they were readily expendable. These rawhide pickers, due to lack of import from abroad, are replaced today by pickers of synthetic materials, and hickory sticks when used with synthetic pickers do not last. The more recently employed laminated sticks which replace those of hickory are expensive and because of their high cost cannot be expended by breakage on such a widespread scale as were the hickory sticks formerly used.

it is one object of the present invention to provide an electro-rnechanical stop motion controlled by electric switch means responsive to the yielding of the lifter rod coupling should a shifting of the shuttle boxes be prevented due to a box hang-up or otherwise, as well as being under the control of other electric switch means responsive to improper chain operating conditions in the head motion, such as due to a chain hang-up or a faulty chain assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide electrically controlled loom stopping mechanism including an electric circuit having normally closed switches which will 2 be opened, individually, upon yielding of the lifting rod giveway when the shuttle boxes are unable to move, or when there is a box hang-up and feeding of the lifting chain occurs to lower the box, or when faulty or improper chain operation occurs, to initiate loom stoppage before any breakage of loom parts can result.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electro-incchanical stop motion including a solenoid which will effect instant loom stoppage at any point in the loom operation irrespective of the lay position whenever the solenoid is energized.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, a shiftable knock-oil mechanism is provided which is actuated by one of the operating shafts of the loom in response to engagement of a toothed member on such shaft by a solenoid operated finger carried by the shiftable member of such mechanism whereby the resulting shifting movement thereof produces actuation of the shipper rod and handle with resultant loom stoppage by operation of the usual brake and clutch mechanism.

Another important feature of the invention resides in providing an electric control system for the solenoid of the foregoing shiftable knock-off mechanism having a normally closed electric switch operated by a yielding cam rod bar attached to the lifting tube giveway for opening a normally closed electric circuit with an open contact typerelay and close the contacts thereof to energize the abovestated solenoid whereby the finger is moved into the path of the toothed member and the knock-off mechanism is shifted by the throw of the toothed member with resulting operation of the usual shipper rod to produce loom stoppage by actuation of the usual clutch and brake mechanism.

Another feature of the invention is the provision in the head motion of a normally closed electric switch operated by a yielding chain guard device which is lifted whenever faulty or improper chain conditions occur so as to open the switch and effect energization of the solenoid to bring about the shifting of the knock-off mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein a convenient embodiment of the invention is set forth:

Fig. l is a front elevation of the shifting shuttle box end of a loom having the invention applied thereto and showing the cam rod operated switch associated with the lifting rod mechanism in accordance with the present invention and in normally closed position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail, partly in section, of the lower part of the lifting rod mechanism shown in Fig. 1 for shifting the shuttle boxes and showing the cam rod operated switch in its open position and with the usual lifting tube giveway and the lifting rod being depicted in yielded or separated relationship to each other as would occur when shifting of the shuttle boxes is prevented due to an improperly boxed shuttle;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view similar to Fig. 2, but on much larger scale, showing the yielding coupling arrangement of the lifting chain with the lifting tube, the parts being illustrated in their yielded positions assumed whenever a hang-up of the shuttle boxes occurs and the cam rod being shown in a different position with the switch operated thereby in its open position;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a loom with parts broken away showing the invention as applied thereto and showing various parts schematically and in operating position;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the knock-off mechanism embodying the invention as shown in Fig. 5, the shipper lever and its linkage being shown in full lines in their normal running positions and in broken outline depicting their positions assumed when the loom is stopped while the parts of the invention illustrated at the left portion of the figure are shown in their inoperative positions normally assumed when the loom is running;

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of a modified form of the invention as applied to an automatic loom and showing the knock-off mechanism embodying the invention associated with the usual bottom operating shaft, knock-off lever, and shipper mechanism of such looms, the parts being shown in their inoperative positions assumed when the loom is running normally;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail view showing a modified form of cam rod which may be employed for operating the switch associated with the shuttle box shifting mechanism in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of the rear part of the head motion shown in Fig. 1 showing the usual yielding chain guard having operatively associated therewith a switch in accordance with the present invention, the chain guard and the switch that it controls being shown in their respective positions assumed when the loom is running normally and the switch being normally closed;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation similar to Fig. 9 but showing the chain guard in its raised position with the switch opened, which condition is depicted as occurring when a hang-up of either the harness pattern chain or the box chain takes place in the head motion;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an assembly of severai chain guards on the operating member for the head motion switch;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view showing the invention applied to the knock-off mechanism of a standard Verry Best type of Crompton and Knowles loom; and

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic representation of one form of electric circuit incorporating the invention, the switches all being shown in normally closed positions and the relay controlling the solenoid being shown in normally open position.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 5, I have shown the invention as applied to a well known type of loom which operates with four shuttles -1, 8-2, S3 and 8-4 that are received by a gang G of shifting shuttle boxes at the left end of the loom, but I do not wish to be limited to this type of loom in the practice of my invention since it can be applied equally as well to looms with magazine automatic feed in which there is a single shuttle box at the replenishing end. As here shown,

the loom frame 10 supports a rocker shaft 11 on which are mounted the usual lay swords one of which is shown at 12. Mounted upon the upper ends of the swords is the usual lay 13 which is reciprocated backwardly and forwardly during loom operation by power derived from a top or crank shaft 14 (see Fig. 5) and transmitted to the lay by a pitman 14. The lay 13 is provided on its upper face with the customary race plate along which the active shuttle travels when propelled across the lay by one or the other of the usual picker sticks located at the right and left ends of the lay, the left end one being shown at 15 in Fig. l pivoted on a bracket 16 which reciprocates or oscillates with the lay. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the top or crank shaft 14 has secured thereto at one end thereof a gear 17 meshing with a gear 18 keyed to the bottom shaft to. In certain types of looms, the gearing is such that the crankshaft 14 makes one complete revolution to effect a reciprocation of the lay for each pick or beat of the loom, and the bottom shaft 19 completes a rotation each second beat or pick of the loom. in other types of looms both shafts run at equal speeds of rotation. The picking mechanism not specifically shown is of common construction and will be ordinarily operated by the bottom shaft 19.

The gang G of shuttle boxes are free to move in a vertical direction between suitable guides 2th and 21 at dthe left end of the lay 13, and at the bottom of this gang of shuttle boxes there is fastened a lifting rod 22 by means of which the shuttle boxes are shifted vertically with respect to the lay 13 for placing one or another of the shuttles S1, 3-2, 8-3, or 8-4 in active picking position in alignment with the shuttle race of the lay.

The shifting movements of the shuttle boxes are under the control of a head motion herein designated generally as M of a type commonly used in looms of this class wherein the harnesses and shuttle boxes derive their movement by semi-rotation of vibrator-gears actuated by partial cylinder-gears, the vibrator-gears being carried by vibrator-levers moved by projections of either a pattern surface or by risers and sinkers of an endless chain to place the vibrator-gear in position to be turned in one or the opposite direction by one or the other of said partial cylinder-gears. The vibrator-gears have crank pins that include connectors that actuate either the harness levers or the box levers here shown at 24 and 25 which form part of a shuttle box moving mechanism. The box levers 24 and 25 are operatively connected to a pair of box lifting chains 26 and 27 which run side by side around a pair of idler pulleys 28 from which both chains extend downwardly and then are brought forwardly to the front of the loom around two idler pulleys 30 and 31. The lifting chain 26 for the gang G of shuttle boxes on the left of the loom passes upward and over idler pulleys 32 and 33 and then down for yielding attachment, in a manner hereinafter described, to the projecting lug or flange 34 of the usual lifter tube giveway 35 that is loose on the lifting rod 22. The gang G of shuttle boxes are supported on a strong spring 36 termed the giveway spring which rests on the top of the lifter tube 35. The chain 27 for the boxes at the right end of the loom (not shown) passes upward and over an idler pulley 37, thence across the loom just beneath the lay 13 and over an idler pulley (not shown) and then down for similar yielding attachment to a lifter tube giveway (not shown) that is loose on the lifting rod of the shuttle box shifting mechanism for the right end of the loom. It will be understood, of course, that although the connections between the box levers 24 and 25 and the lifting rod mechanism for the shuttle boxes are. mentioned herein as chains, they actually consist of short lengths of chain combined with pieces of rods wherever it is not necessary for chain to run over pulleys. By connecting the box chains 26 and 27 to the shuttle boxes in this manner breakage of loom parts is prevented, since if the boxes become caught or the picker stick 15 does not get back far enough to clear the slot in the box before the latter commences to lift, the giveway spring 36 will be compressed as the lifter tube is pulled upward along the lifting rod 22 by the chain 26.

While the shedding motion of the head motion M is positive to produce raising and lowering of the loom harnesses, the box motion of such head motion device, however, is non-positive in that it produces only raising of the shuttle boxes during loom operation. Lowering of the shuttle boxes is effected by their own weight aided by a helper spring 40 on a rod 41 that is fastened to the lay 13 at its upper end, while its lower end extends through a projecting car 42 of a casting 43 suitably setscrewed to the lifting rod 22. It will be seen that as the gang of shuttle boxes shown in Fig. 1 is raised the helper spring 40 is compressed, and that as the vibrator of the box motion slackens the chain 26 when the box is to be lowered the expansion of the spring 40 aids the weight of the boxes in bringing them down. If it were not for the assistance of the helper spring 40 which prevents vibration of the boxes and makes their shifting motion smooth and reliable, there would be a tendency of the shuttle boxes to rise slightly above the race plate of the lay and fall back again when lifted.

During normal loom operation a box chain 44 of the head motion M and carrying the usual risers 45 controls the movement of the box levers 24 and 25 thereof so that the box lifter rod 22 can be moved by its chain 26 to a plurality of vertical positions, four in the present instance.

The matter thus far described is of common construction and operates in the usual manner, and except as noted hereinafter forms no part of the present invention.

As contemplated herein, the loom is provided with electro-mechanical stopping means which will act to stop the loom instantly in the event that the shuttle boxes are unable to shift on time due to the misplacement of a shuttle or by a chain hang-up and before any breakage of loom parts including a picker stick can occur. To this end there is associated with the lifter tube giveway an electric switch 46 which is operated by a verti cal cam rod 47 held in an offset relationship to the lifter tube by an arm member 48. The arm member 48 is loose on the chain rod 26 and has yieldable connection with the lug or flange 34 of the lifter tube by means of a spring 49 and its housing shell 49', the arm 48 and the shell 49 being normally held clamped together and against the underside of the lug 34 by the normal pulling action of the chain rod that is transmitted through the lock nuts 59 on its lower end to these parts to draw them together, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. In accordance with this coupling arrangement the lower end of the chain rod 26 passes loosely through the laterally projecting lug or flange 34 of the lifting tube 35 and the spring 49 encircles the protruding end portion of the rod 26 between the flange 34 and the arm 48 and is of sufiicient strength to hold the latter rigid with the rod even when the coupling yields as depicted in Fig. 3. The cam rod 47 has a screw-threaded upper end portion 51 whereby the cam rod may be adjustably positioned to the arm 48, as by means of nuts 52 and 52'. As shown in Fig. 3, the electric switch 46 is secured to the side of a vertical plate-like member 53 that is integral with an arm extension 54 of the casting 43 and, as thus situated, the switch has its actuating plunger 55 normally depressed into a normally closed contact position as illustrated in Fig. 1 by a ball-like cam element 56 formed on the lower portion of the cam rod 47. The electric switch 46 here shown is a single pole, double throw, type S plunger switch, such as manufactured by Microswitch, Inc, Freeport, Illinois, and has a contact arrangement such that it can be used as either a normally closed or a normally open switch. Patent Nos. 1,960,020 and 2,237,705 are illustrative of such a switch.

The cam rod 47 has vertical sliding movement in suitable brackets 58 and 59 attached to the plunger face of the switch 46 and there is provided suitable depressions 60 and 61 at either side of the ball element 56 of the cam rod into which the rounded tip of the switch actuating plunger 55 moves so as to open the switch as would occur whenever the cam rod 47 is pulled up or down to disengage the ball cam from the switch plunger in response to either yielding movement of the lifting tube giveway 35 as depicted in Fig. 2 or by separation of the connection between the chain rod 26 and the lifting tube giveway 35, as shown in Fig. 3. During normal shifting movement of the boxes the lifting rod 22, lifter tube 35, casting 42, cam rod 47 and switch 46 all move up and down together as a single body so that no relative movement of the cam rod occurs to open the switch 46.

The loom is equipped with the regular brake and clutch mechanisms customarily associated with the loom driving mechanism, all of usual construction although not specifically shown herein. The clutch shipping mechanism also is of usual construction and, as partially illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, includes the shipper handles 65, one at each end of the loom of which that at the left end is shown in the present instance,

said shipper handles being fastened to a shipper shaft 66 which extends longitudinally of the loom under its breast beam. When the loom is running normally, the shipper handle will be pulled forward, or to the right as depicted in Figs. 5 and 6, at which time the usual pin 67 secured to the lower arm 68 of the shipper handle 65 and received within the slotted upper end boss 69 of the usual lever 70, operates the lever 70 and swings it about the stud 71 into the full-line position here shown. Pivotally connected as at 72 to the lever 70 is a rod 73 which extends rearwardly to the loom clutch operating mechanism not specifically shown herein by means of which the loom is set in operation, and is drawn forward into the full-line position shown in Fig. 6 by the swinging motion of the lever 70 just described. A compression spring 75 surrounds the portion of the rod 73 disposed between an adjustable collar 76 thereon and a bracket 77 which is affixed to the loom side and through which loosely passes and is supported said rod, said spring being put under compression when the shipper handle 65 and rod 73 are drawn forward, as de picted in the full-line positions thereof shown in Fig. 6. The spring 75 upon being released from its compressed state, as would occur whenever the shipper handle 65 is moved rearwardly either by hand or by the regular filling stop-motion in the center of the lay or by the stop motion mechanism of the present invention hereinafter to be described, presses against the collar 76 with sufficient force to turn the shipper shaft 66 and throw the shipper handle 65, lever 70 and rod 73 into the positions shown in broken outline in Fig. 6 to effect disconnection of the clutch of the loom with simultaneous application of the brake by operating mechanism which is well known but not specifically shown herein. Spring 75 also insures that the clutch remain open when the loom is stopped and until the shipper handle 65 is drawn forward.

Rotatable with the top crank shaft 14 is a ratchet toothed wheel 80 which is of a split construction as shown in Fig. 6 and bolted to the side of the gear 17. -A knockoff bar 81 is suitably mounted in a bracket 82 secured to the loom frame for longitudinal sliding movement thereon and is actuated by a protruding finger 83 pivoted intermediate its ends as at 84 to a bracket 85. The finger 83 has its tip normally depressed out of the path of the teeth of the wheel 80 and is movable into operative engagement with the teeth thereof upon energization of a solenoid 86 as presently described. The solenoid 86 as here shown is of the push type whose armature 87 is provided at its outer end with a roller 88 which rides upon a flattened end extension 89 of a lever 90 bearing on a rounded protuberance 91 at the end of the finger 83 distal from the ratchet toothed wheel. The lever 90 is pivoted at its other end as at 92 to a bracket 93 fixed on the bar 81. A compression spring 95 in its expanded state normally urges the finger 83 and the solenoid armature 87 into retracted positions. The other end of the knock-off bar 81 is recessed-at its underside as at 96 to provide the arm extension 97 which rests loosely upon and slides over the usual end boss 69 of the lever 70 adjoining its pivotal connection with the bell crank 68. A stud 98 and a lock nut 99 provide for adjustment of the connection between the knock-off bar 81 and the lever 70. A stop 10%) on the knock-off bar and engageable with the bracket 82 limits the forward travel of the bar 81. C10- sure of the switch 46 will effect energization of the solenoid 86 to raise the finger 83 into the position shown in 46 is opened by movement of the cam rod 47 and thereby energizes the solenoid S6 for effecting operation of the knock-off bar 81 and the brake actuator 73. The electrical circuit may be energized by a suitable transformer 103 in the primary 1134 of which also a Microswitch is connected with the usual power lines such as, for example, 110, 220, 440 volt mains, and the secondary winding 105 providing a low voltage such as, for example, 12 volts. Connected in series with the switch 46 is a second switch 196 which is of tie normally closed type and situated in the head motion M, the purpose and operation of this switch being hereinafter described as the specification proceeds. Thus, the electrical circuit shown in Fig. 13 will be normally closed during loom operation due to the fact that switches 46 and 106 will be closed. Upon opening of either switch, however, relay 161 will close and electric current from the transformer 1193 will energize the solenoid 36 to engage the finger 83 with a ratchet tooth or" the wheel 81? and push the bar 81 to the right as depicted in Fig. 6 to effect loom stoppage as already described.

It will be noted in connection with Figs. 5, 6 and 13 that another electric switch 160 is provided for de-energizing the solenoid 36 after the knock-off bar 81 has been shifted to the right to throw the lever '79 and stop the loom. As shown in Fig. 6, the switch 160 is of the roller lever actuator type having single pole, double-throw contact arrangement whereby it may be used either as a normally closed or a normally open switch. In the embodiment illustrated in these figures, the switch 160 is held in normally closed position by the knock-off bar 81 and is opened when the latter moves to the right as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 6 at which time the roller 161 of the switch actuating lever rolls down the slope 162 provided on the bar 81 to open the switch. Other ways may be used than that just explained for operating a switch 160 to obtain these desired results such as, for example, by impact of the end of the arm extension 97 with the operating plunger of the switch.

In Fig. 7 there is illustrated another arrangement of this invention, as applied to an automatic loom in which the bottom operating shaft 19 thereof carries a ratchet toothed wheel 110 of the splitcollar type which is engaged by a pivoted contact-finger or pawl 112 positioned at the end of a transverse knock-bar 113 which is slidable fore and aft of the loom in a guide bracket 113 and connected as hereinafter described for actuating the usual knockoff lever 114 and the usual shipper shaft 115 that extends longitudinally under the usual breast beam of such looms. The pawl 112 is shown as pivotally mounted intermediate its ends as at 16 to a depending bracket 117 fast to the underside of the knockoff bar 113, the ratchet engaging arm portion of the pawl being normally tilted with its tip in a raised position out of the rotational path of the ratchet teeth by the action of a coiled compression spring 113 which is disposed between the other arm portion of the pawl and the knock-oft bar 113. A push-rod 119 connects the knock-oft bar 113 to the knock-off lever 114, one end portion of the push-rod 119 being fixedly secured in a suitable end bore in the adjacent end of the knock-off bar 113 and the other end portion of the pushrod being loosely received by and passing through the usual opening (not shown) in the lower end of knock-off lever 114. 'The connection between the push-rod 119 and the knock-01f lever 114 is effected by adjustment of a collar 121 set-screwed to the push-rod and afiixed thereto to abut the side of the knock-oft lever 114 facing the adjacent end of the knock-off bar 113. When the loom is normally running the ratchet tooth-engaging arm portion of the pawl 112 is held in a raised position out of the rotational path of the ratchet wheel teeth as shown in Fig. 7. However, if shifting of the shuttle boxes is prevented for any reason during loom operation or should there be a chain hang-up in the head motion M the switch 46 or the switch 196 will be opened, as the case may be,

to effect energization of the solenoid 36 and thereby cause the finger 112 to swing downwards into the rotational path of the ratchet teeth of the wheel and engage a tooth thereof, the efiect of which will push the knockoif bar 113 to the right. This shifting movement of the knock-oil bar 113 will force the knock-off lever 114 to the right and turn the shipper rod to move the shipper and brake handles 121 and 122 respectively, lever 123, toggle link 124, bell crank 125 and rod 126 so as to efiect loom stoppage by the usual clutch and brake mechanism (not shown). With this arrangement, the electric circuit employed may also be that shown in Fig. 13, the only change therein being substitution of the Fig. 7 knock-off mechanism for that of Figs. 5 and 6.

In Fig. 12 the invention is shown as applied to a Crompton and Knowles loom of the standard Verry Best type, in which instance, the solenoid 86 which is of the push type is so arranged that energization thereof when relay 101 is closed will cause the armature 87 of the solenoid to push the bell crank lever 130 and dislodge the brake upright 131 from its fixed catch 132 and thereby enable shifting movement of the knock-01f mechanism including rod 133 in the usual manner thereby dispensing with the ratchet and knock-off bar which characterizes the forms of the invention shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

In Fig. 8, there is shown a modified form of cam rod associated with the box shifting mechanism, the cam rod 47 here shown for actuating the electric switch 46 instead of having the ball 55 and notches 60 and 61 of the Fig. 3 arrangement is provided with a transverse groove or notch 151 into which is received and normally positioned the tip of the actuating plunger 55 of the switch. In this instance, the contact arrangement of the switch is chosen wherein the switch is in normally closed position when the outer end of the plunger 55 is received within the notch 151 as illustrated in this figure.

Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10, I have shown a fragmental portion of the head frame of the head motion M illustrated in Fig. 1. As here shown, the head frame 135 has a downwardly inclined extension 136 for guiding box motion chain 44 and an upper rear frame part 137 having at its rear end the usual angle-iron heel shell 138 which extends crosswise of the frame. Secured to the underside of the extension 137 is a cross bar 139 to which are bolted the usual chain guard stands 140, one being shown in the present instance. Pivotally mounted on the ends of the chain guard stands 140 are the curved chain guard fingers 141, 142 and 143 whereby they can yield or be lifted upwardly on the stands 14-0 by reason of the springs 144 around bolts 145 which pass through holes in the stands 141) and have their lower ends secured in the end bosses 146 of the fingers. As shown in Fig. 11 the chain guard fingers 141, 142 and 143 are mounted on a common cross bar 147 having a rearwardly extending finger 148 which normally engages and holds down the plunger 107 of the electric switch 106 into its normally closed position as indicated in Fig. 9 when the chains are operating properly in the head motion but swings clear of the switch plunger to allow it to open the switch whenever the chain guard fingers are lifted upwardly during a pattern or box chain pile-up in the head motion, caused by misplaced chain links, improper assembly of links, loss of cotter pins, etc.

What is claimed is:

1. In a loom having shiftable shuttle boxes, box shifting mechanism, and loom stopping means including a knock-off mechanism, control mechanism for actuating said knock-01f mechanism comprising abutment means associated with and rotatable by one of the operating shafts of the loom, a longitudinally shiftable bar member situated in-between said abutment means and a movable element of said knock-oh mechanism and arranged to move said element and actuate said knock-off mechanism upon shifting movement of said bar member in a direction away from said abutment means, a finger 9 movably mounted on said bar and having a portion extending well beyond the end of the bar and normally positioned with its tip close to but out of the rotational path of the abutrnents carried by said abutment means when said bar is in its initial starting position from which it is shifted for actuating the knock-oif mechanism, a solenoid associated with said finger and operative upon being energized to move the finger and cause its tip to enter the rotational path of the abutments of said abutment means and engage an abutment thereof whereby said bar will be pushed thereby and shifted longitudinally away from its initial starting position to move said movable element of said knock-off mechanism and actuate the latter to effect loom stoppage, and an electric switch associated with the box shifting mechanism of the loom and normally inoperative during normal shifting of the shuttle boxes but operable when the boxes are unable to shift to cause energization of said solenoid and bring about the shifting movement of said bar accompanied by actuation of the knock-off mechanism resulting in loom stoppage.

2. In a loom having shifting shuttle boxes, box shifting mechanism, and loom stopping means including a knockoff mechanism, control mechanism for actuating said knock-off mechanism comprising toothed means associated with and rotatable by one of the operating shafts of the loom, a longitudinally shiftable bar member situated inbetween said toothed means and a movable element of said knock-off mechanism and arranged to move said element and actuate said knock-off mechanism upon shifting movement of said bar member in a direction away from said toothed means, a finger movably mounted on said bar and having a portion extending well beyond the end of said bar and normally positioned with its tip close to but out of the rotational path of the teeth of said toothed means when said bar is in its initial starting position from which it is shifted for actuating the knock-off mechanism, a solenoid associated with said finger and operative upon being energized to move said finger and cause its tip to enter the rotational path of the teeth of said toothed means and engage a tooth thereof whereby said bar will be pushed thereby and shifted longitudinally away from its initial starting position to move said movable element of said knock-off mechanism and actuate the latter to effect loom stoppage, and an electric switch associated with the box shifting mechanism of the loom and normally inoperative during normal shifting of the shuttle boxes but operable when the boxes are unable to shift to cause energization of said solenoid and bring about the shifting movement of said bar and resultant actuation of the knock-off mechanism to efiect loom stoppage.

3. In a loom having shiftable shuttle boxes, box shifting mechanism, and loom stopping means including a knock-E mechanism, control mechanism for actuating said knock-off mechanism comprising toothed means associated with and rotatable by one of the operating shafts of the loom, a longitudinally shiftable bar member situated in-between said toothed means and a movable element of said knock-off mechanism and having one end arranged to engage and push said element and actuate said knock-off mechanism upon shifting movement of said bar member in a direction away from said toothed means, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends on said bar proximate to the other end of the latter and having an arm portion projecting beyond the end of the bar and normally tilted with its tip close to but out of the rotational path of the teeth of said toothed means when said bar is in its initial starting position from which it is shifted for actuating the knock-oh mechanism, a solenoid associated with said lever and operatively arranged with respect thereto, and upon being energized, to move the lever and cause its tip to enter the rotational path of the teeth of said toothed means and engage a tooth thereof whereby said bar will be pushed thereby and shifted longitudinally away from its initial starting position to push said movable element of said knock-off mechanism and actuate the latter to effect loom stoppage, and an electric switch associated with the box shifting mechanism of the loom and normally inoperative during normal shifting of the shuttle boxes but operable when the boxes are unable to shift to cause energization of said solenoid and bring about the shifting movement of said bar resulting in loom stoppage. v

4. In protection means for a shifting shuttle box loom having the usual loom stopping means including a knockofi mechanism and shuttle box shifting mechanism including a lifter rod and a yieldable lifter tube thereon operatively connecting the lifter rod to an actuator therefor and normally movable with the lifting rod when the latter shifts the boxes but yields if the boxes are unable to shift, an electric switch, an electric switch operating member associated with said lifter tube and moved by the latter when it yields withrespect to the lifter rod, said electric switch operating member being arranged to engage and hold said switch normally closed while the boxes can shift and arranged to open the switch when said lifter tube yields, an electric circuit including said switch, a relay held normally open by closure of said switch, a solenoid arranged to be energized by closing of said relay upon opening of said electric switch, and loom stopping mechanism including a toothed member associated with and rotated by one of the loom operating shafts, a shiftable bar member having one end operatively arranged for actuating said knock-oif mechanism and pivotally mounting near its other end a protruding lever the tip of which is normally positioned out of the rotational path of the teeth of said toothed memher but movable into the path of the latter by said solenoid when energized so as to engage a tooth of said toothed member and be pushed thereby to shift said bar member longitudinally and actuate said knock-off mechanism to eifect loom stoppage.

5. In protection means for a shifting shuttle box loom having the usual loom stopping means including a knockoff mechanism operableqby a center filling stop-motion, and shuttle box shifting mechanism including a lifter rod having a yieldable lifter tube thereon operatively connecting the lifter rod to an actuator therefor and normally movable with the lifting rod when the latter shifts the boxes but yields on the rod if the boxes are unable to shift, an electric switch, an electric switch operating member associated with said lifter tube and moved by the latter when it yields with respect to the lifter rod, said electric switch operating member being arranged to engage and hold said switch normally closed while the boxes can shift and arranged to open the switch when said iifter tube yields, a normally closed second electric switch associated with the head motion of said loom and opened whenever faulty chain conditions occur therein, an electric circuit including said switches, a relay held normally open by closure of said switches, and a solenoid arranged to be energized by closing of said relay upon opening of either of said electric switches, and loom stopping mechanism including a toothed member associated with and rotated by one of the loom operating shafts, a shiftable bar member having one end operatively arranged for actuating said knock-off mechanism and pivotally mounting at its other end a protruding lever the tip of which is normally positioned close to but out of the rotational path of the teeth or" said toothed member but movable into the path of the latter upon energization of said solenoid so as to engage a tooth of said toothed member and be pushed thereby to shift said bar member longitudinally and actuate said knock-off mechanism to efiect loom stoppage independently of any functioning of said center stop-motion.

6. In protection means for a shifting shuttle box loom having the usual loom stopping means including a knockof]? mechanism operable by a center filling stop-motion and shuttle box shifting mechanism including a litter rod having a yieldable lifter tube thereon operatively connecting the lifter rod to an actuator therefor and normally movable with the lifting rod when the latter shifts the boxes but yields if the boxes are unable to shift, an electric switch, an electric switch operating member associated with said lifter tube and moved by the latter when it yields with respect to the lifter rod, said electric switch operating member being arranged to engage and hold said switch normally closed while the boxes can shift and arranged to open the switch when said lifter tube yields, a normally closed second electric switch associated with the usual head motion of the loom and operable whenever faulty box chain conditions occur in such loom head motion, an electric circuit including said switches, a relay held normally open by closure of said switches, and a solenoid arranged to be energized by closing of said relay upon opening of either of said electric switches, and loom stopping mechanism including a toothed member associated with and rotated by one of the loom operating shafts, a shiftable bar member having one end operatively arranged for actuating said knock-oh mechanism and pivotally mounting at its other end a protruding finger the tip of which is normally positioned out of the rotation path of the teeth .of said toothed member but movable into the path of the latter upon energization of said solenoid so as to engage a tooth of said toothed member and be pushed thereby to shift said bar member longitudinally and actuate said knockoff mechanism to effect loom stoppage, and a normally closed third switch operable by shifting of said bar and opened thereby when the latter is shifted to effect loom stopping for de-energizing said solenoid while the loom is stopped.

7. In an electric controlled stopping mechanism for a loom having top and bottom operating shafts, loom stopping means including a knock-off mechanism, and a lay having a gang of shuttle boxes which shift during a shifting period preceding a picking operation and starting while the lay is moving forwardly, and box shifting mechanism operating at the start of a shifting period to shift said gang of shuttle boxes, said mechanism including a box lifter rod connected to said gang and including a. lifter tube giveway movable with said gang but yieldable if the gang is unable to shift, a cam rod member associated with said lifter tube giveway and arranged to be movable therewith when said lifter tube giveway yields, an electric switch held normally closed by said cam rod member and opened by movement of the cam rod when said lifter tube giveway yields, said lifter tube giveway, cam rod and the normally closed electric switch being movable bodily as a unit during normal shifting movements of the shuttle boxes, abutment means associated with and rotatable by one of said operating shafts of the loom, a shiftabie knock-off bar cooperating with said knock-off mechanism, a solenoid associated with said knock-off bar and electrically arranged to be energized upon opening of said switch, means movable on said knock-01f bar and operable by said solenoid upon being energized for engaging said abutment means, and actuate said knock-off bar and the loom knock-off mechanism to effect loom stoppage whenever said lifter tube yields and said cam rod is moved thereby to open said switch.

8. In electric controlled stopping mechanism for a loom, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said abutment means consists of a split ratchet-toothed wheel rotatable with the top crank shaft, and the movable means on the knock-off bar is a projecting finger pivoted thereon and raised into the rotational path of the ratchet teeth of said wheel to engage a tooth thereof upon engerization of the solenoid whereby the throw of said toothed wheel will shift said knock-off bar and actuate the knock-off mechanism to effect loom stoppage as a result of opening of said electric switch by the cam rod.

9. In electric controlled stopping mechanism for a loom, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said abutment I23 means consists of a split ratchet-toothed wheel means rotatable with the bottom or picking shaft, and the movable means on the knocl :off bar is a projecting finger pivoted thereon and swung downwardly into the rotational path of the ratchet teeth of said wheel upon energization of the solenoid whereby the throw of said toothed wheel will shift said knock-off bar and actuate said knock-off mechanism and effect loom stoppage as a result of opening of said electric switch by the cam rod.

10. In electric stopping means for a loom, as set forth in claim 7, wherein there is further provided a yieldable coupling connecting the cam rod with the box lifting chain and the lifter tube giveway whereby said cam rod will be operative to move in one direction when said lifter tube giveway yields to open the electric switch and also to move in the opposite direction to open said switch if the box lifting chains operated by the box motion are unable to function properly.

11. In electric controlled stopping mechanism for a loom, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the cam rod member is provided with a camming portion and an adjoining depression into which the actuating plunger of the switch either enters from the cumming portion or moves out of onto the camming portion when the switch is opened or closed, or vice versa, upon appropriate movement ofthe cam rod to cause actuation of the switch.

12. In combination with an electrically controlled loom stopping mechanism, as set forth in claim 7, a head motion, revolvable pattern and box chains, a normally closed electric switch on said head motion to stop the loom when opened, a yieldable chain guard finger over and liftable by either or both of said chains to open said switch whenever a chain pile-up occurs and tending to hold said switch in closed position during normal loom operation, and means operable by the opening of said switch for initiating operation of the loom stopping mechanism to effect loom stoppage.

13. For use in a loom having shifting shuttle boxes and loom stopping means including a knock-off mechanism, loom control mechanism for actuating the loom knockoff mechanism comprising an abutment-carrying member adapted to be associated with and rotated by one of the operating shafts of the loom, a shiftable bar having one end portion arranged for engagement with a movable element of said knock-off mechanism, a lever pivoted on said bar, means slidably supporting said bar with the lever carrying portion thereof opposite said abutment-carrying member, said lever having an end protruding well beyond the end of the bar for engagement with an abutment of said abutment'carrying member, the tip of the projecting end of said lever normally being out of the rotational path of the abutments of said abutment-carrying member when said shiftable bar is in its initial starting position from which its shifting movement occurs, and a solenoid effective when energized to move said lever and cause the tip of its projecting end to enter into the rotational path of the abutments of said abutmentcarrying member to engage an abutment thereof whereby said bar will be pushed thereby and shifted away from its initial starting position and move said movable element of the knock-off mechanism to actuate the latter and effect loom stoppage.

14. For use in a loom having shifting shuttle boxes and loom stopping means including a knock-off mechanism, loom control mechanism for actuating the loom knock-off mechanism comprising a toothed member adapted to be associated with and rotated by one of the operating shafts of the loom, a shiftable bar having one end portion arranged for connection with a movable element of said knocloofi mechanism, a lever pivoted on said bar proximate to its other end portion, means slidably supporting said bar with the lever carrying portion thereof opposite said toothed member, said lever having an end protruding well beyond the end of the bar for en gagement with a tooth of said toothed member, spring means normally biasing said lever to tilt and normally maintain the projecting end of the latter out of the rotational path of the teeth of said toothed member when said shiftable bar is at one position of its shifting movement, and a solenoid effective when energized to move said lever and tilt its projecting end into the rotational path of the teeth of said toothed member to engage a tooth thereof whereby said bar will be pushed thereby and shifted away therefrom to move said movable element of the knock-off mechanism to actuate the latter and effect loom stoppage.

15. In a stopping apparatus for looms, the combination with a shiftable knock-off member, a pivoted lever associated with said knock-01f member movable from one position in which said knock-off member is normally inoperative into a second position for bringing about shifting of said knock-ofi member, a solenoid operative upon being energized to move said lever from its vfirst position into said second position to eflect shifting of said knock-oft member, and an electric circuit including said solenoid, a normally closed electric switch, and a relay held normally open by closure of said electric switch and closed upon opening of said switch, said solenoid being energized by closing of said relay upon opening of said switch for eflecting movement of said lever into said second position resulting in shifting of said knock-off member.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 211,718 Duckworth Jan. 28, 1879 1,973,655 Penman Sept. 11, 1934 2,234,619 Bishop Mar. 11, 1941 2,523,648 Darwin Sept. 26, 1950 

